Rice

Rice Lake is an 88 acre lake located eight miles west of the city of Monticello, just north of Interstate 94. The maximum depth of the lake is 24 feet and during mid-August adequate oxygen was present down to 15 feet. Rice Lake is located within 50 miles of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, but due to the lack of a public access, the lake currently receives relatively light fishing pressure. Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Northern Pike are all present in the lake. In the summer of 1997, a lake survey was conducted on Rice Lake. Netting the lake revealed the following information about the fish population. The Northern Pike catch rate in gill nets (2.0/net) was significantly higher than the last survey when no pike were caught. The catch rate was below expected levels for lakes that are similar to Rice Lake. However, the average size Northern Pike caught was quite large (3.2 pounds). Northern Pike ranged in length from 21.9-30.8 inches and averaged 24.4 inches. The growth rate was average compared with lakes similar to Rice Lake.The trap net catch of Bluegill in Rice Lake (1.8/net) was similar to the previous survey (4.0/trap net) and remained low for this lake type. Bluegill ranged in length from 4.8-5.6 inches and averaged 5.2 inches. Bluegill growth was average.The catch rate of Black Crappie in trap nets (1.3/net) dropped from the last netting (18.0/trap net) and fell below expected levels for lakes similar to Rice. Black Crappie caught in trap nets were large, averaging 0.7 pounds. They ranged in length from 5.8-11.9 inches and averaged 10.2 inches. Black Crappie growth was average.

Rice Lake is an 88 acre lake located eight miles west of the city of Monticello, just north of Interstate 94. The maximum depth of the lake is 24 feet and during mid-August adequate oxygen was present down to 15 feet. Rice Lake is located within 50 miles of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, but due to the lack of a public access, the lake currently receives relatively light fishing pressure. Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Northern Pike are all present in the lake. In the summer of 1997, a lake survey was conducted on Rice Lake. Netting the lake revealed the following information about the fish population. The Northern Pike catch rate in gill nets (2.0/net) was significantly higher than the last survey when no pike were caught. The catch rate was below expected levels for lakes that are similar to Rice Lake. However, the average size Northern Pike caught was quite large (3.2 pounds). Northern Pike ranged in length from 21.9-30.8 inches and averaged 24.4 inches. The growth rate was average compared with lakes similar to Rice Lake.The trap net catch of Bluegill in Rice Lake (1.8/net) was similar to the previous survey (4.0/trap net) and remained low for this lake type. Bluegill ranged in length from 4.8-5.6 inches and averaged 5.2 inches. Bluegill growth was average.The catch rate of Black Crappie in trap nets (1.3/net) dropped from the last netting (18.0/trap net) and fell below expected levels for lakes similar to Rice. Black Crappie caught in trap nets were large, averaging 0.7 pounds. They ranged in length from 5.8-11.9 inches and averaged 10.2 inches. Black Crappie growth was average.

Northern pike abundance was low. None were caught in gill nets and only 4 were caught in trap nets. A small sample indicates that growth was average. Largemouth Bass abundance was above average with age 1 dominant. Growth was average. The Bluegill catch was well below the local average in numbers. Age classes 4 and 5 made up most of the sample. Growth was somewhat slow. The White Crappie population was average in numbers, growth was good, and age classes 1-7 were represented. Black Crappie numbers were four times the local average. Age classes 1-5 were well represented and growth was somewhat slow. Black Bullhead numbers are slightly below the local average. Common Carp abundance was average for the area.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, White Crappie, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch in Rice. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Rice. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Rice has a maximum depth of 24 feet and a mean depth of 6.6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Rice is from 1997. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Rice in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.